In my research, “Character Portrayal in Soap Opera by Race, Gender, Network and Interpersonal Space,” (1987, San Jose State University) I looked at how African American character portrayal on the soap opera genre – a genre commonly used by viewers into what is okay to socially and behaviorally immulate, and at how that “behavior” that is used by viewers for social and racial learning. I then compared daytime soap African American character portrayal to the nighttime television drama genre – characterizations decidedly more negative; and that drives consumer actions i.e. attracting viewers translates into attracting ratings, which equals higher advertising revenues. In other words, money.

Right now, advertising dollars are generating more money than ever before. The internet makes it easier than ever for advertisers to make money. Just point and click.

Make no mistake about. Studies demonstrate that the more one watches the evening news, the more that viewer, based on survey results, believes “the world is a violent, fiery, criminal (mostly black), lawless world.”

Let’s have open dialogue and help close our wounds.